Dental impression tray and process for the use thereof

Abstract

A dental impression tray has approximately the form of the upper or lower biting surfaces and is made of thermoplastics material. The dental impression tray may be used to produce a functional impression of the upper or lower biting surfaces, including an occlusal impression, and is further suitable, in combination with a suitable lining material, as a dental guard for sportsmen.

I claim: 
     
       1. Process for the production of a dental guard suitable for sportsmen, comprising the following steps: (a) a dental impression tray having a biting area which has been approximately adapted to the upper or lower teeth, has at least one aperture in the biting area, and is made of thermoplastics material, is softened at a temperature in the range from 50° C. to 80° C., and is then individually adapted by light pressure to the upper or lower row of teeth and associated gum area to produce a dental guard, any surplus material is removed, and the individualised tray is hardened by cooling;   (b) molding material is provided in said tray and it is again pressed onto the upper or the lower row of teeth;   (c) the molding material is polymerised to form a soft buffer zone between the relatively hard materials of the tray and the teeth and to penetrate partially into and via said at least one aperture to form a soft buffer zone between the tray and the opposite row of teeth.   
     
     
       2. Process according to claim 1 wherein said molding material is a self-hardening substance comprising: a monomer and a (co)polymer of acrylic or methacrylic esters, wherein said monomer has at least one of acrylic and methacrylic esters which possesses from 6 to 10 C-atoms, and the polymer share is 10 to 70% by weight, based on the total composition; and from 0.1 to 1% by weight of a metal soap such as a stearate, oxystearate, palmitate, montanate, oleate, or ricinoleate of a metal, not being a heavy metal; and the usual hardeners and accelerators. 
     
     
       3. Process according to claim 2 wherein jojoba oil is added in a concentration of from 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total substance. 
     
     
       4. Process according to claim 2 wherein as the molding material a self-hardening substance is used which contains substantially no methyl ester of acrylic acid or of methacrylic acid. 
     
     
       5. Process according to claim 2 wherein said monomer is at least one of t-butyl ester, epoxypropyl ester, hexyl ester, and a mixture thereof. 
     
     
       6. Process according to claim 2 wherein the monomer acrylic or methacrylic acid ester, which is used for the dissolution or for the dispersion of the polymer share, is at least partially effective as a cross-linking agent. 
     
     
       7. Process according to claim 6 wherein the cross-linking agent is an olefinic dimethylacrylate or a (poly)-ethylenglycoldimethylacrylate which is added to the monomer (meth)acrylate or constitutes the monomer share. 
     
     
       8. Process according to claim 2 wherein said metal soap is added to a solution, suspension or paste of monomer and (co)-polymer (meth)acrylate, either before or after addition of an accelerator. 
     
     
       9. Process according to claim 2 wherein said metal soap comprises calcium or magnesium stearate.